Pedometers, accelerometers, and heart rate monitors are commonly used as technological tools to motivate during exercise. The primary purpose of heart rate monitors is to assess and monitor exercise intensity. These devices are especially useful for monitoring exercise intensity of individuals in cardiac rehabilitation programs, highly-trained competitive athletes, and participants in physical education programs. These technologies have been shown to promote physical activity and change exercise behavior.
The purpose of this study was to determine if subjects given Polar® heart rate watches (heart rate feedback) during a Cooper 12-minute run/walk test will have an increase in V02 max estimation (greater performance) than did subjects without polar watches (no heart rate feedback).
Method:
Physical education students at a Midwestern university (n=26) were randomly assigned to two groups: Polar heart rate watches (HR) and no Polar Heart rate watches (NHR). Both groups were instructed to complete the 12-minute run/walk test at maximal effort on an eight lap per mile indoor running track. Subjects repeated the protocol in 14 days and were assigned the treatments in reverse order or counterbalanced design.
Analysis/Results:
On average, the (HR) group had significantly higher V02 max estimates (M = 39.90 ± 10.43 ml∙O2∙kg∙min) during the 12-minute run test than did the (NHR) group (M = 37.30 ± 12.08 ml∙O2∙kg∙min), t(25)2.173, p = .019, r =.864.
Conclusions:
Subjects that use heart rate monitors (received heart rate feedback) during a maximal effort cardiovascular assessment may exhibit greater exercise effort and therefore have higher estimations of V02 max.